2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Chevrolet › Silverado 1500 › 2003
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Tire size 75r16, bridgestone v-steel rb215, IS the branded and exact tire on the truck when on 05/23/2026 driving normally down a las vegas rural one-way neighborhood street I was driving down the one-way street (7200 pirates cove) where there are parked vehicles along the sides of street from residents etc..... On both sides of street in very close proximity. And as I was passing the small residential intersection w/ no stop signs in place, the tire IS either sliiced by sharp object iin the street or just blown from manufacturer defect, heat, or the likes, anyway it blows on the passenger side of the truck directly beside a vehicle parked along the right side heading eastbound, when it blows the vehicle drops on the passenger side loses center of control and despite efforts to avoid, it causes my collision with the parked car on the right, because it immediately went flat to rim, and I was collided into, the rear-end of a unoccupied vehicle which then collided slightly with vehicle in front of it which lightly rear-ended a third parked car in front of it also unoccupied and parked. And the airbag then deployed within the vehicle on impact. This could have resulted in worst outcomes, my death or serious injuries, or someone elses injuries. And this happened with no warning prior tire isues or punctures and very limited tread use or tire prolonged road exposures and other wear and tear related actions/activities. So im issuing his complaint because that IS a rather serious defect if indeed the tire and its model, brand and manufacturer have a possible recall and product defect on it's tires that could blow anytime, anywher on it's own thats very dangerous for anyone to be using the tires for vehicle operation. They should be pulled from the places being sold at promptly disposed of and new replacements for affected drivers
My heater started to shut off then I’d turn it off then turn it back on then it’d come back on again. That went on for a few days. Started my truck in the morning and let it warm up for a few moments when I hear truck is on fire. The fire was in the cab of the truck. It was investigated and they said fire started in the right side of the dash which is where the faulty part is from what I’ve learned about other Chevy trucks same make model and year as my truck
Instrument panel stopped working. Speedometer, fuel gauge and ammeter not working.
The vehicle was being driven in a parking lot, fortunately, when there was a loud snapping noise that resulted in the total loss of steering control. The vehicle was moving at about 5 MPH at time of the incident. 10 minutes prior, it was being driven on the Freeway at 60 to 65 MPH. In the parking lot, at the time of the steering failure, it was put into Park, ignition was turned off and a Tow service was called to tow vehicle home. The next day, I (the owner) inspected the steering system and found the reason it failed. A threaded connection on the "Pitman Arm" had snapped in half, terminating the connection between the steering column and the center link, causing catastrophic failure of steering system. The vehicle was transported to a repair facility where my diagnosis was confirmed. The Pitman Arm was replaced, at a cost of about $600.00 and returned to service. There were no warning signs, that I was aware of, prior to the component failure. In my opening sentence, I use the term "fortunately" , which truly is an understatement . Had the incident occurred 10 minutes earlier while on the freeway or if it hadn't occurred in a parking lot at a relatively low speed, I don't even like to think about the death, injury and damage that would have occurred.
When I try and use my left turn signal the hazard lights turn on!! Read numerous instances of this problem online with no solutions! A gentleman online referred me to turn this in to you(nhtsa.gov). The problem is ongoing!!
The undercarriage or frame of our recent purchase of our 2003 used chevrolet k1500 silverado was discovered recently after purchase to be rusted through and through and chipping off day by day. A private master mechanic has looked the truck over and said that it was not safe to drive. Upon further investigating, the panels that hold up the roof of the truck underneath the interior panels are rusting through and through to the point of breaking. Dealership we bought it from just shrugged their shoulders and said basically oh well, it was sold as is. under the truck on the frame where the wheels are attached, forgive my descriptions but im no mechanic, looks like they can break off at any minute. we have ony about 3/4 of a front and back bumper we later discovered, and the roof of the truck looks as if it had rusted and messed up beause someone before us put plaster to redo the roof of the truck. im scared to put my mother in law in this truck to go anywhere because if it got into a wreck... it would be devestating for everyone. truck has been in a wreck before. pictures and truck is available for inspection upon request,
My truck is a older model Chevrolet Silverado pickup HD the problem is it say engine power reduced. I have had it worked on a few times and keeps reducing if engine power. Can you tell me if there is a recall on this issue or at one point there was a recall? I have had the truck almost 2 years any info would be appreciated. I bought the truck from an individual.
2003 CHEVROLET Silverado1500 HD have power hydro brake liitle leaking when driving so loud same time steering to turning so loud and very hard apply brake step on brake so loud try to stop not easy scary and parked at home right now, i beleive fact recall now because your repoert said that "found none recall", it is now problems same my dad have van recall for 2003 Express 1500 and Express 2500 van problems hybro booster brake and steering system found recall now... as 2003 CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 hd problem same thing the problem, you shoud add up recall because show " no found recall " ???, are you notice different? It parts are same problems with van and truck power hydro and brake/steering system . Please let me to know and email back to me sooner, Thanks.
UNKNOWN. I went out to the to go somewhere, got in and noticed several big cracks.
I was driving in normal conditions around 45 mph with the air conditioner on high. Smoke starts pouring out from underneath the dash on the passenger side and once I get stopped the blower motor resistor had caught fire. I was able to put the fire out myself no incident report was filed. It caused damage to my dash but I was able to extinguish it rather quickly to avoid further damage. I just bought this pick up for my 17-year-old son and if he had of been driving things could’ve been a lot worse especially if his reaction time is any slower than mine.
My engine has been giving me lean condition codes p0171, p0174 and truck is lacking performance really bad and coolant problems too please message me back
Ignition will not intermittently start vehicle. Dash lights come on
Rusted out and leaking brake lines and fuel lines under the driverside door where they are attached to the frame.
Instrument cluster- the only thing that works IS the speedometer if I hit a bump the speedometer stops working my truck sometimes dies on me going down the roads, I recently took it to a shop and they ran a diagnostic test and told me it's a electrical problem but since my instrument cluster wasnt working could not narrow it down.. windshield- front makes a whistle sound when your going down the highway it's been like that since I have owned it.. battery- bought a new battery about 8 months ago and something keeps draining it sometimes causing it to have hesitation and bogs out.
New optima red top keeps draining. Second new battery in a month. Dead over night. I've read there's a recall on other vins. Yet mine IS doing the same battery drain thing. left my wife at mcdonald's today high and dry! Wtf! Don't make me get a ford!
As I was driving home from downtown suddenly my truck lost power and I had to limp home ,friend checked truck and found trouble code p2135 reduced engine power and also said for me to check if there was a recall for this throttle body problem .
TL* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. When parking the vehicle, the brake pedal stuck to the floorboard. The contact was able to engage the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact drove to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 53,000.*dt*jb
TL* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to lindsay chevrolet (5605 jefferson davis hwy, woodbridge, va 22191, (571) 200-4754) where it was diagnosed that there was a fractured brake line and the brake lines were rusted and corroded. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact repaired a portion of the brake line. The manufacturer was contacted, but did not assist. The failure mileage was 102,799.
Oil pressure gauge pegged out and not working also gear selector light not working can't tell what gear you are in
Takata recall. While driving on a city street, truck suddenly lost power and shut off in the middle of an intersection, while I was turning.i tried several times to start it but nothing. I believed it to be the catalytic converter, and had it towed to a muffler shop. After fixing the problem truck still would not crank. I had to have it towed once again to my residence. Before this I would have to make 2-3 attempts to crank the truck before it would start. Also prior to this I noticed I have not been getting as good of gas mileage as I should and the truck would not accelerate as it should. I have done research and seen a number of people with my same model truck have several issues with their fuel pump.
The rear fuel tank strap holding the fuel tank to the frame of the vehicle has rusted/corroded and failed. the result was the tank strap separating from the portion near where the strap bolts to the frame. the vehicle was in motion on primary city roads during this issue. the separated fuel tank strap then rubbed against the rear portion of the drive shaft near the rear axle housing. this caused it to separate from the vehicle and enter the roadway. after the retaining strap failed, the rear portion of the fuel tank was then hanging dangerously low towards the roadway.
Email from congressman schneider on behalf of his constituent regarding takata airbag recall. *Ld *tr
Brakes failed without warning while the vehicle was at highway speed, the pedal went to the floor with no warning when attempting to slow down. I was able to run off the road to avoid a collision and stop the vehicle slowly using the emergency brake. After stopping the vehicle, I could see brake fluid pouring out of the brake lines under the drivers side door. There appeared to be significant corrosion on the brake lines where the fluid was now pouring out.
At all times during operation, the subject vehicle has a 'service air bag' message on the instrument cluster, along with the red illuminated symbol indicating air bag problem. from what I've found via internet searches, this seems to be common on the chevy trucks. I do not know if the problem would prevent the airbag(s) from operating in the event of an emergency, but I cannot assume that the airbag would actuate if/when needed, potentially resulting in serious injury or loss of life. it certainly seems that this should be a safety recall, with a requirement for gm to correct the defect at no charge to the owners of the vehicles. indications are that this IS not an isolated incident.
Takata recall frame IS breaking airbag lights on dash IS messing up
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.The subject vehicles represent the first five MY's of GM's GMT800 platform production, of which approximately 2,038,504 vehicles were sold in salt states (the subject vehicles).The GMT800 platform includes the following vehicles:1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 series pick-up trucks; 2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sport utility vehicles; and 2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Avalanche sport-utility vehicles.General Motors produced a total of approximately 10,427,062 GMT800 vehicles for sales in the United States, including almost 5 million that were sold in salt states.Although there are over 60 different brake pipe routing configuration used in GMT800 vehicles, with the exception of the rear crossover pipes in MY 200x-2007 vehicles that changed from rear disc to drum brakes, all of the vehicles use brake pipes from the same supplier with a common double-wall, brazed steel pipe design with a combination of hot dip Zinc-Aluminum corrosion protection coating and Aluminum paint outer layer known in the industry as AlGal (ASTM-B750). ODI analysis of field data regarding GMT800 vehicles identified a total of 3,645 complaints of brake pipe corrosion failures, including 107 alleging crashes, and 40 injuries.Though only 20% of total GMT800 production, due to age and region the subject vehicles account for a disproportionate share of the failure experience; with 2,702 of the complaints (75%), 88 of the crashes (82%) and 20 of the injuries (50%) reported in those vehicles.Analysis of the complaints showed strong correlations to vehicle age and region.For vehicles with less than 8 years of service, the complaint rates were minimal for all regions.In the salt states the failure rates begin to climb as the vehicles advance in age, particularly in the Northeast corner of the United States.The complaint rates in the salt states go from less than 0.1 incident per thousand vehicles (IPTV) at 7 years in service to over 1.0 IPTV after the 12th year of service for the subject pickup trucks and utility vehicles.Most of the failures reported to ODI occurred in vehicles with more than 10 years in service.ODI?s investigation did not identify any specific defect conditions that were causing or contributing to the brake pipe failures.Nor did the analysis isolate the problem to any subject vehicle sub-populations when analyzed by vehicle type or production range.The investigation found that vehicles experiencing brake pipe corrosion failures were likely to have general patterns of excessive corrosion on the majority of the brake pipe assembly and appear to be occurring due to expected wear out for the brake pipe coating material used in the subject vehicles and the environmental conditions in severe corrosion states.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor t
In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified nhtsa that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly on vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system. A total of 58 non-duplicative complaints were received by odi and gm concerning the approximately 59,000 my 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series pickup trucks with the pbr parking brake system.these included 22 alleged rollaway incidents, resulting in a rate of 38.5 rollaway incidents per 100,000 vehicles.odi IS aware of 24 complaints regarding the my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series manual transmission trucks recalled by gm, including 5 alleging rollaway incidents.though the conditions described in gm's letter are also present in the c/k trucks with automatic transmissions, the rollaway rate in those vehicles was similar to those observed in peer vehicles studied by odi in this investigation.this engineering analysis IS closed. For additional information, see the attached closing report.
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake system's torque below that needed to immobilize the vehicle.gm has attributed this accelerated wear to foreign material intrusion and a failure of the brake shoe to properly self-center within its brake drum.effective with the start of my 2003 production, a newer reduced force hold-down clip was introduced to facilitate brake shoe disengagement from the drum surface.this part IS also available at the service level for the my 1999-2002 vehicles.gm has indicated that the paking brake IS intended to operate in conjunction with the transmission to immobilze parked vehicles, and that in many cases, accelerated parking brake lining wear IS caused by rough use, vehicle modifications, and driving with the parking engaged. Odi has upgraded the preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis to gather further information concerning parking brake usage factors and the circumstances surrounding the seventeen reported vehicle crashes.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.